Character analysis
Why is Chase confused when he first returns to school, and what does this confusion reveal about his character?
Chase is confused because he cannot remember his past. It reveals that he is beginning to question who he was and how other people see him.
Why does Shoshanna have difficulty accepting the "new" Chase?
She remembers the Chase who bullied her brother and caused serious harm, so she does not immediately trust that he has changed.
What does Shoshanna's point of view help readers understand that Chase cannot?
It helps readers understand how Chase's past behavior affected other people.
What is one major external conflict Chase faces when he returns to school?
He must deal with people who remember and judge him based on his past behavior.
If Chase feels remorse, what is he feeling?
Deep regret for something wrong he did.
What is the biggest difference between the Chase that other characters remember and the Chase we see after his accident?
The old Chase was known as a bully who hurt others, while the new Chase is confused about his past and begins showing kindness and concern for others.
How does Brendan's opinion of Chase begin to challenge Chase's reputation?
Brendan gets to know Chase as he is now rather than judging him only by his past. He begins to see Chase as someone who can be kind and supportive.
How does changing narrators affect the reader's understanding of Chase?
Each narrator provides different information and feelings about Chase, creating a more complete picture of his character.
What type of conflict does Chase experience when he tries to understand his past?
Internal conflict.
What is a consequence?
A result that happens because of an action or choice.
Why does Chase's memory loss create an internal conflict for him?
Chase has to figure out whether he should believe what others say about his past or trust the person he believes himself to be now.
Why might the author include Shoshanna's perspective instead of telling the story only from Chase's point of view?
Shoshanna's perspective shows the impact of Chase's actions on other people. Readers can understand Chase's past from the victim's perspective.
f the entire novel were told only from Chase's point of view, what important information might readers miss?
Readers might not fully understand the pain and anger caused by Chase's past actions.
Why does Chase's conflict with Shoshanna become difficult for him to solve?
Chase cannot simply explain or apologize for something he doesn't remember, while Shoshanna remembers the harm clearly.
What is the difference between forgetting your mistakes and learning from your mistakes? How does Chase experience both?
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Chase does not remember bullying Joel. Why is it still important for Chase to learn about what happened?
Even though Chase cannot remember his actions, other people were still affected by them. Learning about his past helps him understand the consequences of his behavior.
How do Shoshanna and Brendan's perspectives create two different versions of Chase?
Shoshanna sees Chase through the pain caused by his past actions, while Brendan gets to know Chase after his accident and sees evidence that he may be changing.
Why can a character's point of view be considered evidence about another character?
A character's experiences and observations can reveal how another character's actions affect people around them.
Which conflict is more important to Chase's development: his conflict with other characters or his conflict with himself?
His internal conflict is especially important because he must decide what kind of person he wants to become while also dealing with the reactions of others.
How does the author use Chase's memory loss to make readers question whether a person should be judged by their past?
Readers know Chase committed harmful actions, but they also see that his current behavior is different. This creates a question about whether someone's past should completely define them.
Based on Chapters 1–15, is Chase changing because he remembers his past or because he is making different choices? Explain.
Chase is changing because he is making different choices. Even without remembering his past, he chooses to treat people differently and begins forming healthier relationships.
What can readers infer from the fact that some characters distrust Chase while others begin to accept him?
Chase's identity is complicated. His past actions affect how people see him, but his current choices also show that people may have the ability to change.
What is the effect of showing Chase through both positive and negative perspectives?
It prevents Chase from being viewed as simply "good" or "bad." Readers see his harmful past while also seeing his potential to change.
How does Chase's memory loss create both an advantage and a disadvantage?
It gives him a chance to start over, but it also prevents him from fully understanding his past and the reasons people distrust him.
Chase says he doesn't remember being the person others describe. Why should readers believe that Chase has genuinely changed?
His actions after the accident provide evidence. He begins showing kindness, developing positive relationships, and questioning the behavior that others describe.